Thanks to Them

It happens in a flash, an instant. Suddenly lives are changed for the better.

Millions of ordinary Americans, usually with little or no recognition or praise, offer extraordinary time to try to improve their world. But their path to good deeds often starts with halting, quirky steps: a debilitating illness and a prayer. A spanking in a youth center. The speech of a nun. A chance meeting at sea with dolphins.

No matter how they decide to do what they do, however, their efforts can by quietly moving: lonely seniors are no longer neglected; high-risk teen-agers get attention from a self-described former tough; crime victims receive some care and attention that the system never could give.

For all the labor, the hard work of all too many largely goes unsung. On a day of thanksgiving, it’s worth telling some of the tales of kindness.

Here are a few:

Leeta Anderson

Anderson founded Animal Alliance, a nonprofit group that rescues and boards homeless animals until they can be adopted, and provides food for pets of economically deprived senior citizens and others in need. “After my husband died 10 years ago, I decided I would dedicate my life to animals. I have always loved them and there really are no agencies to help animals. Just individuals who form their own groups.

“When I was little, I used to walk home from school and pick up little creatures and bring them home. Now, I have cats and dogs in kennels and foster homes all over the city waiting to find a home. . . . People don’t realize how expensive it is to care for all these animals, have them spayed and neutered and pay kennel fees. At the end of every month, I bite all my nails wondering how we are going to pay next month’s bills. But God seems to look kindly on us, because we survive.

“I still have about 10 cats at the AM/PM Kennel in Westwood for adoption, and some kittens we just got. The kennel people were so kind to give us a good rate for boarding them. We (volunteers with Animal Alliance) screen people very carefully and have them sign a contract saying they will keep the cats as indoor pets and not declaw them, or send the animals to research or give them to someone else. If they can’t keep them, we want them to bring them back.

“In my life, I try to embrace the world, at least those who cross my path, especially the four-legged ones. My hope someday is that I can have a sanctuary of my own for the little creatures.”